Principal Cyber Systems Engineer role at MANTECH in Chantilly, VA, providing hands-on engineering and system administration for mission-critical cybersecurity tools and platforms. You’ll act as a cyber SME across IDS/IPS, firewalls, proxy/WAF, and SIEM environments while supporting RMF/NIST 800-53-driven secure system design and operations. Standout requirement: active TS/SCI with Polygraph for high-impact work.
- Active TS/SCI with Poly required
- Hands-on across multiple security tools
- High-impact cyber defense mission
MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Principal Cyber Systems Engineer to join our team in Chantilly, VA.
The Principal Cyber Systems Engineer will leverage their strong technical background and knowledge to support complex cybersecurity initiatives by delivering hands-on engineering expertise across a wide range of security technologies. You will help protect vital systems and drive cyber defense innovation in a collaborative, high-impact environment.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Providing engineering support and system administration for specialized cybersecurity applications and systems—including installation, configuration, maintenance, patching, and backup/restoration
- Serving as a subject matter expert in the creation, editing, and management of signatures, rules, filters, and custom content for cybersecurity systems such as IDS, IPS, firewalls, web application firewalls, proxy servers, and SIEMs
- Applying Systems Engineering best practices specific to Cyber Operations and evaluating enterprise-level cyber requirements against approved architectures and roadmaps; making informed recommendations for requirement approval or rejection
- Administering cybersecurity test beds, conducting tests and evaluations of new tools, access controls, configurations, and signatures/rules
- Providing Tier 2 maintenance support for deployed cybersecurity technologies
- Collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams to design and implement secure systems; working knowledge of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST 800-53 security controls is essential
- Performing the duties of an Information Systems Security Engineer (ISSE) in coordination with the Program’s ISSE Team
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or an additional 4+ years of IT experience in lieu of a degree
- 7+ years of experience in cybersecurity
- Ability to obtain a DoD 8570 certification at IAM-III (CISSP, CISM, GSLC, CCISO) or IAT-III (GCIH, CISSP, CASP+, CCNP Security, CISA, GCED) within 6 months of hire
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills; capable of communicating with diverse stakeholders, from technical teams to senior leadership
- Experience executing the RMF process from system categorization through continuous monitoring
- Familiarity with Systems Security Engineering (SSE) documentation including Cybersecurity Strategies, Information Support Plans, and Program Protection Plans (PPPs)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with ICD 503 and associated Assessment and Accreditation processes and tools
- Familiarity with supplemental security control frameworks such as JSIG and/or ICD 503
Clearance Requirements:
- An active TS/SCI with Polygraph
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%
- Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations
- Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations